The Car Connection Expert Review

Originally built on a modified Camry
platform, the RAV4 (Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive) has always
been on the car end of the SUV spectrum. As one of the first — if not the first
— car-based crossovers, the RAV was at first compared with traditional
body-on-frame, truck-based SUVs, but soon the market and the press began to
understand that the little Toyota was something different — a tall, rugged,
car-based wagon with available four-wheel drive. Toyota still offers both
front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions of the
RAV4.

But since the RAV’s U.S. introduction
in 1996, we’ve seen the introduction of a long list of small, car-based
wagons/SUVs that compete with the model, such as the Honda CR-V, Subaru
Forester, Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Saturn
VUE.

For 2001, the RAV4 was given a
complete redesign, and though it kept similar dimensions its series of
improvements gave it more “grown-up” appeal and a level of refinement normally
only expected in larger vehicles.

This year, the RAV4 carried over
without significant changes, save for a new Sport Package. The $3067 package,
installed on our test vehicle, includes several fresh appearance changes
including a sport grille, hood scoop, overfenders, and a tubular roof rack. The
package also comprises a long list of conveniences including cruise control, a
six-speaker CD/cassette sound system, A/C, and a cargo
net.

Our test vehicle, loaded with options,
also had tube-step running boards by Steel Horse. They seemed a bit ridiculous
and out of place on a compact carlike SUV, but the Acculaser carbon-fiber dash
trim that was included in the same $764 convenience package was bold yet
tasteful.

Modest
power

All RAV4 models have a 2.0-liter
all-aluminum four-cylinder engine, which includes Toyota’s VVT-i variable valve
timing system for improved low-rev response.

The four’s modest output of 148 hp and
142 lb-ft of torque doesn’t make the RAV4 a hot-rod, but thanks to the RAV’s
sub-3000-lb curb weight it has plenty of power for everyday driving. The engine
is smooth and quiet at idle and in the rev range of ordinary driving, but push
it anywhere above 4000 rpm and it becomes loud and
boomy.

The four-speed automatic transmission
boasts to be electronically controlled. Most of the time, shifts are smooth, and
downshifts for passing are especially quick. However, over a modest
two-mile-long steady six-percent grade at 55 mph, the transmission relentlessly
“hunted” back and forth between third and fourth gears, cycling every five or
ten seconds with a rough downshift — proof that unlike many other new models,
the unit doesn’t have Grade Logic, the brains that would have otherwise avoided
the hunting and just kept third gear until the hill was summited.

“Perfect”
seating

Seating in the RAV4 is comfortable for
those in the small to average size demographics, but at six and a half feet tall
I couldn’t find enough rearward seat travel. Also, the lower cushion was too
short and wouldn’t tilt back far enough to lose the feeling that I might slide
forward off the seat in hard braking, if the upholstery weren’t so nice and
grippy. If you’re in the normal size range, ignore what I just said: a
five-foot-nine friend declared the front seats and driving position ‘perfect.’
Our test vehicle had the textured “sport fabric” that’s included with the Sport
Package. The seating surface seemed much more appealing than the plasticky
animal by-product that’s ‘preferred’ all too often.

Seat gripes aside, all is well behind
the wheel. The chunky three-spoke steering wheel feels good, and it offers an
unobstructed view through to nice chrome-bezeled gauges with tachometer in the
top middle, speedometer on the left and fuel and temp gauges on the right. The
dash is neat and classy, with straightforward switchgear, while the rest of the
interior sticks to a simple, utilitarian theme.

As is the case with most of its
compact-SUV competition, the RAV4 has plenty of space for two in the back seat,
with adequate legroom for six-footers, but it’s cramped for three adults due to
a lack of shoulder room. The RAV is, after all, not any wider than a smallish
compact car.

Tough
stuff

The RAV’s ride definitely tends on the
soft, comfort-oriented side, provided you keep the load light. An independent
suspension in the back helps, compared to the semi-independent beam suspension
of some competitors. The softness, as you might figure, continues when the roads
turn curvy. Low speed handling is confident — albeit with a little lean — but
high-speed sweepers on undulating roads lead to the type of body motions that
just make you want to slow down and take a more leisurely pace. It’s not a
“driver’s car,” but then again how many RAV4 buyers are looking for
that?

Counter to its tall profile, the RAV4
is a great highway vehicle. It sticks to the road ahead without wandering, and
wind noise is at a minimum.

The brakes are just fine — with decent
pedal feel — albeit with a fair amount of nosedive in hard stops. But we had to
wonder why anti-lock brakes aren’t standard, seeing that it’s a tall vehicle and
the four-wheel-drive model especially would be purchased by people who drive in
foul weather and slippery winter conditions. It seems petty and neglectful that
Toyota is offering it as a $300 standalone option rather than include it as
standard.

With the introduction of softer, more
car-focused competitors, as strange as it sounds the RAV4 looks like one of the
most rugged small SUVs around. The RAV4’s good ground clearance, generous wheel
wells, and traditional SUV profile hint that there’s at least some measure of
off-roading ability.

A weekend camping excursion, which
involved driving through some rough gravel roads and a few brief weedy two-track
stretches, seemed like the perfect test. The RAV ate up the dust and soaked up
the bumps and undulating surfaces, with a minimum of noise or vibration making
it inside. And unlike our recent experiences with a competing compact SUV, for
which we’ll save the embarrassment, a short foray into rough surfaces didn’t
bring out numerous interior creaks and groans. The RAV4 doesn’t have the wheel
articulation, underbody protection, or serious four-wheel-drive system for
‘real’ off-road driving, but it will get you to the campsite or boat launch
without fuss.

Traction was an issue briefly when
driving back out of the sloped approach to our campsite, which would have been
about the same angle as a typical boat launch. The four-wheel-drive system,
which normally routes torque 50/50-percent front/back via a viscous coupling,
can route more torque to the front or back as needed. Because of the steep
upward slope of the vehicle and weight transfer to the back, the front wheels
didn’t have a lot of traction and more power was needed for the back. However,
one of the back wheels was on a wet grassy patch and couldn’t get adequate
traction so the whole system seemed in hesitation. I wager that the optional
limited-slip rear differential ($390) would have helped us in this
situation.

Economical operation is probably one
of the primary concerns of compact SUV buyers. In terms of thirst at the pump,
the RAV4 is comparable to a mid-size sedan. We recorded a decent 23 miles per
gallon in a driving mix that weighed heavily on stop-and-go and hilly
terrain.

Swan
song?

The RAV4 isn’t a performance leader in
the compact SUV crowd, but it has stayed distinctive enough to warrant a long
look. There are more innovative designs around, and the RAV seems to be riding
the fence between being a light-duty SUV and tarmac-only crossover. The
equipment list is a little out of touch on the safety front, though, with
anti-lock brakes optional and side airbags not available.

Without question, the Subaru Forester
handles more confidently, while both the Forester and the Honda CR-V have
peppier performance without being thirstier at the pump. If thirst isn’t a
concern, the Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Saturn VUE offer more powerful
V-6 models with similar packaging. But on the other hand, inside and out the
RAV4 has a level of style and attention to detail that is unsurpassed with other
small SUVs, and it feels rugged enough to put up with weekend “active lifestyle”
outings, which can’t be said of some of the other compact SUVs and
crossovers.

Although Toyota won’t officially admit
it yet, sources have told us that the RAV4 will be discontinued after model year
2004. While the current-generation vehicle is assembled in Japan and was
originally designed for the Japanese market, a RAV4 successor would likely be
exclusive to the North American market and inspired by the redesigned Highlander
— possibly with more power from a long-anticipated optional V-6, delivered
through a more sophisticated all-wheel-drive
system.

But the RAV4 remains a very appealing
product. Its grown-up feel, traditional SUV shape, and full-time
four-wheel-drive system make it stand out from the crowd. If you want a compact
SUV that’s easy to drive and comfortable for the highway but with just a little
bit of rugged character — and frugality and dependability are priorities, too —
the RAV4 might just be your ride.

The 2016 RAV4 XLE is a very nice car to own and drive

My Toyota RAV4 XLE is a 2016, 2017 is not out. I am enjoying owning and driving this SUV. The only thig I don't care for is the seat material. They could have picked a much better looking fabric.

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Was this review helpful to you? Yes

May 15, 2016

For 2016 Toyota RAV4

pretty decent vehicle

Overall Rating

Interior/Exterior

Performance

Comfort and Quality

Safety

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Fuel Economy / MPG

Reliability

functional ,not exciting reliable a Toyota built to satisfy all your needs.

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Was this review helpful to you? Yes

February 13, 2016

For 2016 Toyota RAV4

I love this car

Overall Rating

Interior/Exterior

Performance

Comfort and Quality

Safety

Features

Fuel Economy / MPG

Reliability

I have this car xle in white and i have alot of extra stuff that i added . Love this car especially the rims . I got alot of attention with this car . This is my favorite car so far.you would not regreat...
I have this car xle in white and i have alot of extra stuff that i added . Love this car especially the rims . I got alot of attention with this car . This is my favorite car so far.you would not regreat buying this car . + More »